Team


Ada Weinstock, PhD
Principal Investigator

Dr. Weinstock received her MSc and PhD from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel, where she was trained in immunology, stem cells and molecular biology. She then moved to NYU, where she trained in the lab of Dr. Edward Fisher, focusing on immunological mechanisms to heal atherosclerosis and obesity. Dr. Weinstock is passionate about mentoring and helping academic trainees to find their desired careers. She served as the chair of the NYU Postdoc Council for over 2 years, chaired symposia such as InspireScience and the Atherosclerosis Gordon Research Seminar and created an online support community for trainees in fields related to metabolism.
Aleepta Guha Ray, PhD
Post-Doctorate Fellow

Aleepta obtained his PhD at Indian Institute of Chemical Biology where he worked on the role of secondary transporters in cholesterol efflux under Dr. Arun Bandyopadhyay. He then moved halfway across the world to join Dr. Weinstock in the windy city! Here he is interested in understanding the molecular basis of benefits of weight loss using a combination of in vivo and in vitro techniques. Outside the lab he enjoys watching and playing football (the real one :-p), traveling to discover places around him and shopping!
Rotem Kalev-Altman, PhD
Post-Doctorate Fellow 

Rotem received her M.Sc. and Ph.D. from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem in Israel, where she studied the role of matrix metalloproteinases during embryonic and postnatal development of the brain and skeleton under Profs. Dalit Sela-Donenfeld and Efrat Monsonego-Ornan. During her Ph.D., Rotem also performed independent research on uterus function during delivery in transgenic mice lacking matrix metalloproteinases. Additionally, she established and was the head of a Ph.D. Students' Forum in her faculty and organized enriching activities and peer mentoring programs. Once she completed her Ph.D., Rotem joined the Weinstock lab where she will study the effect of weight loss and regain on immune progenitors. Rotem is highly interested in obesity and inflammation and their effect on fertility and hopes to study these directions as well. Outside the lab, Rotem loves to travel with her family to new places.
Lourdes Caceres, PhD
Post-Doctorate Fellow

Lourdes obtained her Ph.D. at the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she studied the effects of air pollution on macrophage redox biology and inflammatory pathways under Dr. Pablo Evelson and Dr. Timoteo Marchini. During her Ph.D., she joined the Vascular Immunology Lab under Dr. Dennis Wolf in Freiburg, Germany, where she worked on the role of environmental risk factors in heart disease progression. Following her long-lasting interest in immunometabolism, Lourdes joined the Weinstock lab to study the benefits on metabolic health achieved through different methods of weight loss. Other than science, Lourdes enjoys discussing films, and strongly advocates for intercultural culinary exchange ;)
Destini Wiseman
Research Technician 

Destini received her B.S. in Biochemistry and Religion at Denison University in Ohio. While at Denison, Destini conducted research on the effects of cannabigerol on Dictyostelium discoideum metabolites. Once graduated, Destini joined the Weinstock lab at UC as our Research Technician where she helps the team study metabolic inflammation. For future plans, Destini is preparing to attend the University of Chicago to obtain her M.Eng. in Bio-Immunological Engineering. 
Wenceslao Martinez-Navarrete, M.S. 
Graduate Student of Molecular Metabolism and Nutrition 
Wenceslao received his M.S. in health and exercise science from Colorado State University where he studied the effects of methionine restriction on brain protein homeostasis. He is interested in understanding how the immune system changes in response to health interventions such as weight loss and exercise. Outside of lab, he enjoys going out for runs near the lake and loves to try out new recipes to cook. 
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Phoebe
Mascot

I love being crazy with other dogs. I have LOTs of energy and can't wait to start working in the lab!
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Too anxious to have an email
Kicia
Mascot 

My mom forced me through three years of college so I am making the most out of my education and pursuing research here at the Weinstock Lab! I LOVE to take care of and watch our mice, it's the best part of the job.